General

First Party Fraud CIFAS Marker

21/01/2026 Comments Off on First Party Fraud CIFAS Marker

A First Party Fraud CIFAS marker is applied where a financial institution alleges that the account holder themselves committed fraud.

This is one of the most serious CIFAS markers and can have long-term consequences. However, a First Party Fraud marker is not a criminal conviction, and in some cases it may be applied incorrectly, disproportionately, or without sufficient consideration of the full circumstances.

This page explains what a First Party Fraud marker is, why it is applied, how it affects you, and what options may be available if you believe it is inaccurate or unfair.

What is a First Party Fraud CIFAS marker?

A First Party Fraud marker is recorded when a bank or financial institution believes that the account holder deliberately engaged in fraudulent behaviour for personal benefit.

This may relate to activity such as:

  • knowingly providing false information,
  • intentionally abusing account facilities,
  • retaining funds where there was no entitlement,
  • manipulating transactions for gain.

The marker is recorded on the CIFAS National Fraud Database and can remain on your record for up to six years.

Importantly, this is a risk marker, not a finding made by a court.

How First Party Fraud markers are commonly applied

From our case experience, First Party Fraud markers are often applied in situations involving:

  • disputed chargebacks or refunds,
  • allegations of deliberate misuse of banking facilities,
  • accounts linked to repeated suspicious activity,
  • transactions that banks believe show intentional behaviour,
  • situations where explanations were not accepted during initial investigations.

In some cases, the institution relies heavily on internal assumptions or automated analysis rather than a full assessment of intent and context.

Allegation versus proof: an important distinction

A central issue in First Party Fraud cases is the distinction between:

  • alleged fraudulent intent, and
  • disputed conduct, misunderstanding, or circumstantial inference.

Financial institutions are expected to assess:

  • intent,
  • evidence,
  • proportionality,
  • and whether the behaviour genuinely meets the threshold for fraud.

Where this assessment is incomplete or based on assumption rather than evidence, the marker may be open to challenge.

How a First Party Fraud marker can affect you

A First Party Fraud CIFAS marker can affect your ability to:

  • open or maintain bank accounts,
  • access credit or finance,
  • obtain a mortgage,
  • work in regulated or financial services roles,
  • engage with financial institutions in the future.

Applications are often declined automatically once this type of marker is identified.

Can a First Party Fraud CIFAS marker be removed?

Yes. A First Party Fraud marker can be challenged and removed where it has been:

  • applied without sufficient evidence of intent,
  • based on incorrect or incomplete information,
  • applied disproportionately to the circumstances, or
  • maintained where the allegations are not supported by the facts.

Markers are not removed simply because they cause difficulty. Removal depends on whether the institution complied with CIFAS principles, data protection accuracy requirements, and fair treatment obligations.

Challenging a First Party Fraud marker yourself

You are entitled to challenge a First Party Fraud marker without charge by:

  • requesting your CIFAS data via a Data Subject Access Request,
  • asking the institution that applied the marker to review its decision,
  • requesting a CIFAS review if the complaint is rejected,
  • escalating the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service where applicable.

This process is free but often complex and evidence-driven, particularly where allegations of deliberate behaviour are involved.

How we approach First Party Fraud cases

First Party Fraud cases require careful handling.

Our approach typically involves:

  • reviewing the factual background and transaction history,
  • examining the institution’s reasoning and evidence,
  • assessing whether intent has been properly established,
  • identifying procedural, evidential, or proportionality issues,
  • preparing structured, evidence-led complaints aligned with CIFAS principles and data protection law.

A key focus is whether the evidence genuinely supports an allegation of fraud rather than inference or assumption.

How long do First Party Fraud cases take?

Timeframes vary.

Some cases are resolved within weeks, while others take several months, particularly where escalation to CIFAS or the Financial Ombudsman is required.

Progress often depends on the complexity of the allegations and the responsiveness of the organisation involved.

Start with a free First Party Fraud assessment

First Party Fraud cases are fact-specific and sensitive. Before taking action, it is important to understand your position.

Our free assessment helps identify:

  • the type of CIFAS marker recorded,
  • the organisation that applied it,
  • the current stage of your case,
  • whether there may be grounds to challenge or review the marker.

You can then decide whether to proceed independently or request professional support.

Start your free First Party Fraud CIFAS marker assessment below.